Span track-to-loader latch



Dec. 18, 1962 M. c. NEUMAN 3,068,307

SPAN TRACK-TO-LOADER LATCH Filed Jan. 18, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 18, 1962 M. c. NEUMAN 3,068,807

SPAN TRACK-TO-LOADER LATCH '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1960 Dec. 18, 1962 M. c. NEUMAN SPAN TRACK-TO-LOADER LATCH '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 18, 1960 Dec. 18, 1962 M. c. NEUMAN SPAN TRACK-TO-LOADER LATCH Filed Jan. 18, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 18, 1962 M. c. NEUMAN 3,068,807

SPAN TRACK-TO-LOADER LATCH Filed Jan. 18, 1960 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Flam Dec. 18, 1962 M. c. NEUMAN 3, 7

SPAN TRACK-TO-LOADER LATCH Filed Jan. 18, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Unite 3,068,807 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 flee 3,068,807 SPAN TRACK-TO-LQADER LATCH Milton C. Neuman, Champlin, Minn, assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Jan. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 3,208 3 Claims. ((11. 104-94) This invention relates generally to conveyor systems, and more particularly it pertains to a latching mechanism for securing together separable tracks of a tramway type conveyor.

This application contains subject matter common with that disclosed in applications Serial No. 848,163, filed Oct. 22, 1959, Myron J. Bauer et al. Serial No. Serial No.

erial No.

856,318, filed Nov. 30, 1959, Richard C. Wilson 856,319, filed Nov. 30, 1959, Richard C. Wilson 861,161, filed Dec. 21, 1959, Richard C. Wilson Serial No. 861,162, filed Dec. 21, 1959, Richard C. Wilson Serial No. 863,367, filed Dec. 31, 1959, Richard C. Wilson Serial No. 3,700, filed Jan. 20, 1960, Richard C. Wilson Serial No. 5,575, filed Jan. 29, 1960, Milton C. Neuman Serial No. 16,108, filed Mar. 18, 1960, Myron J. Bauer et al. Serial No. 11,386, filed May 12, 1960, Sven Landstrom et al. Serial No. 31,785, filed May 25, 1960, Myron J. Bauer et al. Serial No.

et al. and Serial No. 41,219, filed July 6, 1960, Myron J. Bauer et a1.

all assigned to the United States Government. The launching system is shown in its entirety in Serial No. 848,163, and it is to this particular application that reference will hereinafter be made.

In a guided missile launching system, such as described in the above-mentioned patent application, it is required to connect the missile weapon supporting tracks of a loader to the tramway tracks of a folding span track in a missile weapon feeder system. For this purpose, an automatic latch mechanism of high reliability and unique characteristics is required.

In the guided missile launching system of the patent application referred to above, there is disclosed a loader and span track arrangement in which the automatic latch mechanism of the present application forms an important part.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a latch mechanism of novel'design for securing abutting ends'ofa tramway'type conveyor together which has both mechanical tripping as well as hydraulic tripping engagement actions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulically operated latch mechanism having interlocked hydraulic control for aligning of a span track and the clamping thereof to the tracks of a loader of a guided missile feeder system.

Many other objects and attendant advantages of this invention mentioned above will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diametric view of the loader portion of a span track-to-loader latch mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a diametric view of the span track portion of the span track-to-loader latch mechanism;

36,098, filed June 14, 1960, Robert E. Carlberg FIG. 3 is a diametric view of span track and blast door components showing relationship to the launcher;

FIG. 3A is a continuation to the right of FIG. 3, showing part of the loader trunk and weapon in position thereunder;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, with parts removed, of the guided missile launching system showing generally the location of the span track, blast doors, Area 1 accumulator, loader trunk, and the wing and fin assembly compartment (Area 1);

FIG. 5 is a diametric view, in longitudinal cross section, of the span track;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, with parts in phantom and elevation, of centering bolt and a hold down piston therefor; and

FIG. 7 is a diametric view, partly cut away, of the span track-to-loader latching mechanism.

The span track-to-loader latch 4300, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 4, is located in the last trunk section VIII of the loader trunk 2003, directly aft of an upper blast door 4004 and the span track assembly 4001 of the guided missile launching system described in the previously mentioned patent application.

- In order to complete the transfer of a missile weapon 400 from Area 1 to the guide arm 5002 of a launcher 5000, the span track assembly 4001 attached to the upper blast door 4004, must extend, align, and secure to the loader trunk 2003 of a loader 2002 and to the guide arm 5002 of the launcher 5000.

The forward end of the span track assembly 4001, as shown in FIG. 2, has a pair of rollers 4269 mounted to it which engages between tapered cam surfaces 2109 of trunk section VIII. As the span track assembly 4001 nears the horizontal plane of the loader trunk 2003, these rollers 4269 center and align the span track assembly 4001 with the trunk section VIII. Another pair of rollers 4268 on the span track 4001 engage the span trackloader latch 4306, as shown in FIG. 6.

The span track assembly 4001 forms a bridge between the loader 2002 and the launcher guide arm 5002, as shown best in FIG. 4. With the span track assembly 4001- horizontally positioned, as shown in FIG. 6, a missile weapon 400 may be moved from Area 1 onto the guide arm 5002 of the launcher 5000.

The span track assembly 4001 is mounted to the inner face of the upper blast door 4004 and both act as a single unit. With the upper blast door 4004 open, as shown best in FIGS. 3A and 4, thespan track assembly 4001- assumes a horizontal position. When the upper door 4004 is closed, the span track assembly 4001 is stowed vertically inside the upper door, as'shown in FIG. 3.

Although the open track assembly 4001 is mounted to tphe upper blast door 4004, its manner of attachmentthereto allows it some lateral and vertical movement. This compensates for any variation in position of the guide arm 5002 of the launcher 5000. Y

The principal components of the span track assembly 4001 are the span track support 4106, shown best in FIG. 5, a three section span track 4200, shown best in FIGS. 5 and 7, skid tracks and chain tracks (not shown), a T-hanger 4212, shown best in FIG. 5, a centering bolt 4194, as shown best in FIG. 6, a span track-guide arm latch 4210, shown best in FIG. 5, and latch rollers 4268 and 4269, shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, to engage the span track-loader latch 4300, shown best in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

The span track-loader latch 4300, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, secures and aligns an aft section 4201 of the span track 4200 to the loader trunk unit VIII. This spring-loaded span track-loader latch 4300 also acts as a sequence valve, porting control pressure fluid to the upper door control block assembly 4168 when the span trackloader 4300 is retracted.

The span track-loader latch 4300 is located at the forward end of trunk unit VIII, as shown in detail in FIG. 7. The span track-loader latch 4300 is attached to a mounting bracket 4304 which extends forward from the center of this trunk section VIII.

The span track-loader latch 4300 includes the mounting bracket 4304, the latch 4306, spaced links 4308, a spring-loaded switch actuator 4310, a switch SIPA7, and a cylinder block 4312. The cylinder block 4312 contains a piston 4314, a spring 4316, and has two end covers 4318 and 4319.

A pivot pin 4320 is used to secure the upper corner of the triangular-shaped latch 4306 to the mounting bracket 4304. At the lower aft corner of the latch 4306, the latch 4306 is pinned to the'links 4303. The links 4308 are then pinned to an anchor link 4322, which is screwed to the end of the piston'4314. The underside of the triangular-shaped latch 4306 holds the spring-loaded switch actuator 4310. Switch SIPA7 is mounted to a small bracket 4311 which is bolted to the bottom of the cylinder block 4312.

The cylinder block 4312, in turn, is bolted to the underside of the mounting bracket 4304, and it contains the two-land piston 4314. Covers 4318 and 4319 are fas tened to each end of the cylinder block 4312, with the forward cover 4318 used as a guide for the piston 4314 while the aft cover 4319 serves as a spring retainer.

The spring-loaded piston 4314 remains extended in the latch position unless control pressure fluid is ported to it. When a pilot valve 4272 ports control pressure fluid to the piston 4314, the piston 4314 and latch 4306 retract. When the piston 4314 and latch 4306 have retracted, the switch SIPA7 is deactuated. At the same time, control pressure fluid is ported to the piston 4314 and passes on to the upper door directional valve.

A positive stop 4324, as shown in FIG. 7, located above the latch 4306, supports the mounting bracket 4304 against excessive upward thrust, which the span track 4200 may direct against the latch 4306.

The two pairs of latch rollers 4268 and 4269 are located on the aft end of the span track section 4201. In latching the span track 4200 to the loader 2002, the two latch rollers 4268 force the spring-loaded latch 4306 to retract. When the span track 4200 is latched to the loader 2002, the bottom of the triangular-shaped latch 4306 rides the upper roller 4268 and forces the span track 4200 against a pair of projecting loader skid tracks 2048 and 2050. This secures the span track 4200 in the horizontal position with respect to the loader 2002. The engaging surfaces of the loader skid tracks 2048 and 2050 are equipped with contact pads 4302, as shown in FIG. 7.

The lateral guide rollers 4269 on either side of the latch rollers 4268, align the span track 4200 laterally, as shown in FIG. 7. These rollers 4269 engage the cam surfaces 2109 of trunk section VIII, and secure the span track 4200 in the lateral plane. Although the span track 4200 is aligned and secured laterally and vertically, it may still float longitudinally. A small gap for this purpose is provided between the span track 4200 and the loader trunk 2003.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a missile launching system having a missile launcher, a missile assembly and storage area, first and second tramway means operably positioned in the assembly and storage area and on the launcher respectively, a vertically retractable tramway operable to connect the first and the second tramway in a manner to form a continuous tramway between said missile launcher and said assembly and storage areafthe improvement comprising latching means for releasably latching said first and said retractable tramways together, said latching means including a latch block operably secured to said retractable tramway, a roller operably mounted on said latch block, a triangular-shaped latch pivotably mounted on said first tramway, said latch having afirst surface and a cam surface angularly spaced from each other, a single acting fluid motor having a piston operably biased to a first position, said fluid motor being operable to move said piston to a second position, toggle means operably connecting said piston with said latch, said latch being in an extended position when said piston is in said first position, said latch being in a retracted position when said piston is moved to said second position, said retractable tramway being movable to a retracted position and to a position wherein said tramways are aligned, said roller on said latch block contacting said cam surface when said retractable tramway means moves into said aligned position from said retracted position thereby causing said latch to be forced toward said retracted position, said latch block and said latch automatically latching said retractable tramway and said first tramway together when said aligned position is reached, said motor being operable to move said piston to said second position thereby retracting said latch and unlatching said retractable tramway from said first tramway.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein guide rollers are mounted on said latch block, and cam guide surfaces are mounted on said first tramway in a manner to eflect and maintain proper horizontal alignment between said first and said retractable tramways when in said aligned position.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein means are provided which indicate the relative position of said latch and said latch block.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Whipple Dec. 3, 1957 

